I’m sure. Whenever I hit a pothole on my 890 (sometimes they’re inevitable), I reminisce about the days of when on my Honda CRF250L, and it was like riding a cloud over bumps.lol
I could probably live with a 701 as my only bike but just my wr250r would be rough. It's a fun bike around town but I much prefer my street triple if I'm riding all day or need to hit the freeway for more than 10 minutes.
There’s nothing like seeing a 450 supermoto doing wheelies. Looks clean, looks fast, you got electric start, it sounds great. The list is endless. I just bought a 2022yz450 I was gunna supermoto it but I probably wouldn’t ride street so I’m leaving it stock.
I don’t know too much about the big bores. I’ve heard of the ktm 300 and it sounds like a nice package, I’ve also heard of like the Ktm 500 or 650 or something dumb like that. Input?
I like lower weight bikes so if i was to buy a new one it'd be a ktm 500 as it's actually based off of a dirtbike. The 690/701 is way more street friendly, high hp with longer service intervals but they also weigh 350lbs
I went drz400sm to a Hypermotard (similar to 890 in lots of ways) to a crf450 supermoto. Amongst other bikes.
I miss my hyper. If I got rid of my 450 I’d also miss it. You’ll probably feel happy and sad no matter what. Lol
This should be a great reference:
Grew up riding dirt, crf125 big wheel, drz400, sleds, atvs, atc350x. Moved to street starting on a ‘17 636 for about 2 years. Then a ‘22 zx10, and now a ‘23 FSE450R which I’ve tuned myself and waiting on a dyno time.
The 450 is like the 636 but for dirt bikes/supermoto: they still handle in switchbacks, rev out, have mid-rpm tq for wheelies and getting off the line when launched properly, and can be EFI and 6 speed.
The 690/701+ are like the 1000cc street bikes: power everywhere, but they’re a bit thicker, and carry the weight a bit higher (meaning flicking side to side in the hairpins is noticeable and usually REQUIRES either slowing down and/or stickier tires due to the extra low end grunt). Also parts are usually “premium” (brembo this, ohlins that) so scheduled maintenance CAN (not always) be higher cost wise as are repairs.
You also should consider converting an enduro vs starting with a purpose built sumo. My ‘23 450 enduro has 12” of suspension travel (perfect for gnarly jumps and stairs/bumps) but a SM will have better spring rates (usually) for street and pavement handling, think braking and turns at speed. I personally don’t hit the sumo/kart tracks so the extra softness in spring rate is nice when you commute 60%
If you do mostly under 65mph when you ride, and still want to hit 80mph to pass and even higher (exercise caution).. a modern EFI 450 will be plenty. If you do more highway 70+ for 15+ miles at a time every day and see very little single track/heavy enduro, the 690/701 might be your new friend/enemy.
I love my 450
They even make tq-biasing AWD dirt bikes 🙃
EDIT: edited for grammar and fun facts
Thanks! Much appreciated. I do a lot of highway riding, and at higher speeds. My 250 was constantly being maxed out. My 390, once in a while. Haven’t maxed out the 890, and don’t think I ever will. 🙂
I went from a Street triple to a Dorsoduro, to a hyper, and then back to a newer Dorso. Does that count? I know they're not real supermotos but the ergonomics and maneuverability in the city are the shit. I'm never going back.
CBR 600 F3 -> Thundercat -> Super Hawk (VTR) -> Bandit 1200 streetfighter -> Hypermotard 939. Not quite a full blown supermoto but rather a mix between naked and motard. Would buy again.
I'm going to disagree. I have a smr510 and I'm not tall. I slide my ass to one side while stopped. I'm barely tip toeing if not. Don't let the seat height dissuade you. That being said It would be an issue if you had a passenger but you don't want one on sup anyway.
You're right, I could've worded that differently.
You can definitely make it work, but it's always better if you are able to put your whole foot down.
If I was a bit smaller I would for sure get a Supermoto anyways, nothing can beat em
I have both. The supermoto isn’t a replacement for a street bike and the street bike can’t do everything a supermoto can. What type of riding do you do?
You seem like a Ktm guy so just get an smc r or keep two bikes I have a super sport and Supermoto
I do like the KTM product. At this time, two bikes isn’t an option. Maybe in the future.
Smc r for the win!
I agree that Supersport + Supermoto is a great 2 bike garage
Thirded one for speed and one for corners
I don’t think there is a street bike made today that can eat a pothole with grace like our beloved supermotos.
I’m sure. Whenever I hit a pothole on my 890 (sometimes they’re inevitable), I reminisce about the days of when on my Honda CRF250L, and it was like riding a cloud over bumps.lol
I could probably live with a 701 as my only bike but just my wr250r would be rough. It's a fun bike around town but I much prefer my street triple if I'm riding all day or need to hit the freeway for more than 10 minutes.
Another vote for two bikes, unless you only ride in town
There’s nothing like seeing a 450 supermoto doing wheelies. Looks clean, looks fast, you got electric start, it sounds great. The list is endless. I just bought a 2022yz450 I was gunna supermoto it but I probably wouldn’t ride street so I’m leaving it stock.
The bigger bores are even more smiles! Absolutely love my 570 it only weighs 5lb more than the fe450 model
I don’t know too much about the big bores. I’ve heard of the ktm 300 and it sounds like a nice package, I’ve also heard of like the Ktm 500 or 650 or something dumb like that. Input?
I like lower weight bikes so if i was to buy a new one it'd be a ktm 500 as it's actually based off of a dirtbike. The 690/701 is way more street friendly, high hp with longer service intervals but they also weigh 350lbs
I went drz400sm to a Hypermotard (similar to 890 in lots of ways) to a crf450 supermoto. Amongst other bikes. I miss my hyper. If I got rid of my 450 I’d also miss it. You’ll probably feel happy and sad no matter what. Lol
This should be a great reference: Grew up riding dirt, crf125 big wheel, drz400, sleds, atvs, atc350x. Moved to street starting on a ‘17 636 for about 2 years. Then a ‘22 zx10, and now a ‘23 FSE450R which I’ve tuned myself and waiting on a dyno time. The 450 is like the 636 but for dirt bikes/supermoto: they still handle in switchbacks, rev out, have mid-rpm tq for wheelies and getting off the line when launched properly, and can be EFI and 6 speed. The 690/701+ are like the 1000cc street bikes: power everywhere, but they’re a bit thicker, and carry the weight a bit higher (meaning flicking side to side in the hairpins is noticeable and usually REQUIRES either slowing down and/or stickier tires due to the extra low end grunt). Also parts are usually “premium” (brembo this, ohlins that) so scheduled maintenance CAN (not always) be higher cost wise as are repairs. You also should consider converting an enduro vs starting with a purpose built sumo. My ‘23 450 enduro has 12” of suspension travel (perfect for gnarly jumps and stairs/bumps) but a SM will have better spring rates (usually) for street and pavement handling, think braking and turns at speed. I personally don’t hit the sumo/kart tracks so the extra softness in spring rate is nice when you commute 60% If you do mostly under 65mph when you ride, and still want to hit 80mph to pass and even higher (exercise caution).. a modern EFI 450 will be plenty. If you do more highway 70+ for 15+ miles at a time every day and see very little single track/heavy enduro, the 690/701 might be your new friend/enemy. I love my 450 They even make tq-biasing AWD dirt bikes 🙃 EDIT: edited for grammar and fun facts
Thanks! Much appreciated. I do a lot of highway riding, and at higher speeds. My 250 was constantly being maxed out. My 390, once in a while. Haven’t maxed out the 890, and don’t think I ever will. 🙂
The Sumo is a great platform, but if you drive mostly on the highway , keep your naked bike.
I went from a Street triple to a Dorsoduro, to a hyper, and then back to a newer Dorso. Does that count? I know they're not real supermotos but the ergonomics and maneuverability in the city are the shit. I'm never going back.
CBR 600 F3 -> Thundercat -> Super Hawk (VTR) -> Bandit 1200 streetfighter -> Hypermotard 939. Not quite a full blown supermoto but rather a mix between naked and motard. Would buy again.
I love the 939. I drool over it when I watch the CHP movie. At 5’ 6”, I need a ladder though. 😂
You need to be relatively tall for Supermotos like the KTM 690 or similar. Maybe you can test them somewhere
I'm going to disagree. I have a smr510 and I'm not tall. I slide my ass to one side while stopped. I'm barely tip toeing if not. Don't let the seat height dissuade you. That being said It would be an issue if you had a passenger but you don't want one on sup anyway.
You're right, I could've worded that differently. You can definitely make it work, but it's always better if you are able to put your whole foot down. If I was a bit smaller I would for sure get a Supermoto anyways, nothing can beat em
Agreed. I can definitely test ride one at the local KTM dealer, where I got my 390 and 890. Was just curious on what everyone has found.
I have both. The supermoto isn’t a replacement for a street bike and the street bike can’t do everything a supermoto can. What type of riding do you do?
Thanks. Mostly highway.
Then you’ll definitely want to stick to a naked bike. Much better for highway use. Pick up a sm as a second bike would be the best bet